Alteration of aluminum tolerance mediated by insertion of same transposable element at different sites in the upstream region of <i>HvAACT1</i> in Japanese barley accessions

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major limiting factor for crop production in acid soils. Barley is highly sensitive to Al, so the genetic improvement of its Al tolerance is required. However, useful breeding materials and genetic factors for improving its tolerance are remain largely unclear. Here, we compared the Al tolerance of ‘Minorimugi’ and ‘Fibersnow,’ both six-rowed hulled barley cultivars grown mainly in northern Japan, using relative root length (RRL) as an index, and found that Minorimugi had higher tolerance. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the two cultivars detected a major QTL at the HvAACT1 (Al-ACTIVATED CITRATE TRANSPORTER 1) locus that explained approximately 36% of the variance. The PCR amplification analysis revealed a 1-kb transposable element (TE) insertion at −1.9 kb in the upstream region of HvAACT1 in Minorimugi that enhances HvAACT1 expression. The TE has the same nucleotide sequence as one previously found at −4.8 kb in the upstream region of HvAACT1 in ‘Murasakimochi,’ which is an Al tolerant cultivar. In the Japanese barley population, the Murasakimochi-type HvAACT1 upstream allele is shared mainly among barley accessions developed in the Shikoku area, while the Minorimugi-type allele is shared mainly among accessions developed in the Hokuriku and Nagano area. This geographic difference indicates that both alleles are shared among different subpopulations in Japanese barley, which may be advantageous for growth in acid soils. Our results provide information about a new allele of the HvAACT1 upstream region and potential breeding materials for improving the Al tolerance of barley.</p

Quantitative measurements of retinal morphologic changes associated with acute central retinal vein occlusion using optical coherence tomography.

<p>On the horizontal and vertical sections through the foveal center, the inner (blue arrows), outer (yellow arrows), and total (red arrows) retinal thickness was measured at 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm from the center of the fovea towards both sides of the retina, respectively. The maximum thickness of the inner, outer, or total retina was determined as the largest of the 12 measurements (white dot). The total foveal thickness was defined as the distance between the vitreoretinal interface and the inner surface of the retinal pigment epithelium (black dot).</p

Subgroup analysis of correlation between response to treatment and M-CHARTS scores in patients with ischemic CRVO and patients with non-ischemic CRVO.

<p>Subgroup analysis of correlation between response to treatment and M-CHARTS scores in patients with ischemic CRVO and patients with non-ischemic CRVO.</p

Baseline Characteristics of Eyes with Acute Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

<p>Baseline Characteristics of Eyes with Acute Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.</p

Measurements in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion at baseline and at 1 month and 6 months after initial treatment.

<p>Measurements in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion at baseline and at 1 month and 6 months after initial treatment.</p

Correlations between the baseline and the posttreatment total foveal thickness (A), maximum outer retinal thickness (B), visual acuity (C), and M-CHARTS score (D) in eyes with acute branch retinal vein occlusion that were treated with an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab.

<p>One month after the initial treatment, the maximum outer retinal thickness and total foveal thickness and was significantly decreased (both p < 0.001). The visual acuity in logMAR was also significantly improved (p < 0.001). The improvement in the mean M-CHARTS score was not significant (p = 0.050), and 28 eyes still had metamorphopsia.</p

Quantitative measurements of retinal morphological changes associated with acute branch retinal vein occlusion with optical coherence tomography.

<p>On the vertical section through the foveal center, the inner (yellow arrows), outer (blue arrows), and total (red arrows) retinal thickness was measured at 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm from the center of the fovea toward the affected side of the retina, respectively. The maximum thickness of the inner, outer, or total retina was determined as the largest among the three measurements.</p

Measurement Values Associated with Acute Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion at Baseline and One Month after Initial Treatment with Ranibizumab.

<p>Measurement Values Associated with Acute Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion at Baseline and One Month after Initial Treatment with Ranibizumab.</p

Persistent metamorphopsia after the resolution of macular edema associated with acute branch retinal vein occlusion.

<p>A 74-year-old woman had visual disturbance due to acute BRVO in the left eye. (<b>A</b>) Fundus photograph. (<b>B</b>) Fluorescein angiogram. (<b>C</b>) The vertical section of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan through the foveal center shows the foveal cystoid spaces and retinal thickening in the affected retina. The visual acuity of the left eye was 0.30 logMAR. The vertical and horizontal M-CHARTS scores were 1.0 and 0.7, respectively. The eye was treated with an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. (<b>D</b>) One month after the injection, a vertical OCT section shows the complete absorption of the macular edema. The visual acuity was improved to 0.15 logMAR. However, the vertical and horizontal M-CHARTS scores were still both 0.8.</p

Association between post-treatment (6-month) m-charts score and measurements obtained at baseline and at 1 month after initial treatment.

<p>Association between post-treatment (6-month) m-charts score and measurements obtained at baseline and at 1 month after initial treatment.</p